When you purchase a new home in a community, price and location are top priorities. But so is quality of life. If this aspect is lacking, even the best home isn’t going to meet your needs.
Lexington County, South Carolina, has become a popular area for new home developments. This includes the cities of Lexington, West Columbia, Cayce, Irmo, and Springdale, to name a few. A lot of residential development also takes place in unincorporated parts of the county, which is the primary focus of the local government’s recent action.
In the latest Lexington County news, the county’s officials have called for a halt on some new large-scale home developments.
Lexington County Puts a Temporary Stop to New Residential Developments
On April 13, the Lexington County Council voted to temporarily pause new, large-scale residential developments in unincorporated areas of the county. The ordinance is scheduled to take effect in May 2021 and will last for 180 days.
The moratorium will prevent developers from applying for new applications for:
Residential subdivisions consisting of ten lots or more, or;
Residential subdivisions with lots that average under ½-acre, and;
Residential attached land use activities per the Lexington County Zoning Ordinance definition.
Any residential project applications in these areas that have already been formally submitted prior to the moratorium will continue to be reviewed and processed.
Saving Infrastructure and Safeguarding Quality of Life
The council’s decision was based on the notion that the growth in these unincorporated areas of the county is causing an unanticipated strain on infrastructure and other county resources. In a short period of time, there has been a significant increase in traffic, which presents a public safety issue. Population increases have also impacted schools in the county, some of which now have enrollment freezes.
Another purpose of the moratorium is to give officials time to collect data, analyze, and make decisions concerning the impacts and consequences of new apartment complexes and large-scale residential growth throughout the community. The county states that it needs this time to review its policies so that it can uphold its mission of providing a high quality of life at a reasonable cost of living.
Looking to Buy a Home in Lexington County, South Carolina?
Even though there is a temporary pause in some residential projects, that doesn’t mean there aren’t homes for sale in Lexington County. If you are a first-time homebuyer or are ready to “level up” in this area, there are plenty of options.
The Layfayette Team has over 17 years of combined real estate experience and has extensive knowledge of this area. We deliver personalized service to every client and take pride in our unique ability to match your needs with the available properties in the area. Contact us today to learn more about our services.